PUMAS coach Santiago Phelan has called on Argentina to begin their November campaign with an explosive, winning performance against Wales.

PUMAS coach Santiago Phelan has called on Argentina to begin their November campaign with an explosive, winning performance against Wales.

Phelan believes the opening game of a tour which also sees his Argentine side face France and Ireland is the key to their battle to leapfrog seventh-placed Ireland in the world rankings.

“The first game will give a lot of confidence for the next one,” said Phelan.

“If you start well it’s easier to continue and prepare for the other matches.”

Phelan was in the Argentine back-row when they beat Wales 30-16 at the Millennium Stadium exactly 11 years ago today.

And he reckons his team have arrived in the Welsh capital better prepared than at any time in their history after facing New Zealand, Australia and South Africa on a home and away basis in the new Rugby Championship.

The Pumas certainly didn’t disgrace themselves, but reckoned they could have done better, letting chances to do the double over South Africa and Australia slip through their fingers.

They let the Springboks snatch a draw on Argentine soil and blew a significant lead against Australia on the Gold Coast, after surprising New Zealand in Wellington.

“It was very positive for us to be involved in the Rugby Championship as we had the opportunity to play six games against the best teams in the world and to learn to play at the intensity they play at and grow as a team,” said Phelan.

“We also have 12 Tests a year instead of six and it means we can see how the team develops over three months together and we want to continue that on this tour.

“We are playing three good teams. We know Wales are an excellent side who play at a high level and we will need to be at our best. Wales have good players, a good XV and good replacements.

“They have won the Six Nations this year, they are very competitive, they are playing good rugby, have a big pack of forwards and a good system of play with their backs.

“We know we need to concentrate on parts of the game as they are in good shape. They have good individual players and we are prepared for a tough game.

“We want to try and use the things we learned in the Rugby Championship.”

Argentina have given rookie Nicolas Sanchez, who plays for French Championship Top 14 club Bordeaux-Begles, a start at outside-half next to dangerous scrum-half Martin Landajo, with the world renowned Juan Martin Hernandez switching to full-back.

“Nicolas played very well in the Rugby Championship against South Africa,” said Phelan.

“He is in good shape and we believe it is a good moment on this tour to develop him and give him some time on the field that in other moments he may not have got.”

They were among those unavailable for selection as part of an agreement with the clubs in France, although they will return for fixtures against France and Ireland.

“For this tour we had a special agreement with the French union about not taking more than two players from each club for each game,” said Phelan. “In some clubs we have more players, so we had to think what was best for this game as they have club matches in France.

“That’s the way it is. We have lost some players for this game and then for the other ones we will also have a mix.

“It was a difficult selection, but the players that are available are in good shape. We are confident.”

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